USA Youth Rugby

Players

Today rugby is one of the fastest growing team sports in the United States for boys and girls of all ages. The sport has gained ground over the years and is now played in over 120 countries by over 5.5 million people. Rugby is a great option for youth and high school athletes looking for a new challenge and exciting experience. Find out how you can become America's newest Olympian with rugby!

Find a Team!

New to Rugby?

No problem! Check out these quick rugby facts about how the game is played. Want to learn more? Download a Beginner's Guide to Rugby here.

1. Types of Rugby - Rugby is played around the world in two main versions of the game: Olympic Rugby and 15s. Olympic Rugby is played with seven players on a side for two seven-minute halves. This version of the game will be found in the Olympic Games in 2016. The more traditional version of the game is 15s where games are played with 15 players for two 35-40-minute halves. There are also both contact and non-contact versions of the game.

2. Continuous Game - Similar to the game of soccer, rugby is a continuous game where the ball is constantly moving and play will not stop unless a team has scored, the ball goes out of bounds, or a penalty is given. Unlike football, tackling in rugby is a great thing and play will continue after a tackle is made!

3. Passing - The game of rugby is played with lateral and/or backwards passing. At no time in the game is a forward pass allowed. If a forward pass is made, a scrum will be awarded to the opposing team.

4. Scoring Points - Scoring points in rugby can occur through the following four ways:

Score a Try 5 points - This occurs when a team touches the ball to the ground in the opposing team's try zone.

Kick a Conversion - 2 points - After a try is scored, the scoring team has a chance to kick through the uprights for 2 points.

Take a Penalty Kick - 3 points - A team has the option for a penalty kick through the uprights after the opposing team has committed a penalty.

Drop Goals - 3 points - Drop goals can occur during open play at any time and from anywhere on the field. The ball must be drop-kicked in order to count.

5. What are they doing? Rugby is known for having funny-sounding names for things done on the field. Here are two common things you will see when play restarts:

Scrum - A scrum is awarded after a minor infringement of the rules such as a forward pass. In 15s, a scrum occurs with eight players from one team going head to head with eight players from the opposite team. A scrum is similar to a jump ball in basketball. Click here to see a breakdown of the rugby scrum.

Lineout - When the ball goes out of bounds, play is restarted with a lineout. This contest for the ball will involve players being lifted in the area in hopes of recovery. Click here to see a breakdown of the rugby lineout.

Plan for College

Now is the time to plan for college and rugby can be a great avenue to higher education and expanded opportunities. For those players interested in playing rugby while attending college, this page can offer you some great resources for how to get started.

Select a Rugby School

There are hundreds of collegiate rugby programs around the country, offering wonderful higher education opportunities for graduating seniors. Click here to find a college or university with a rugby program near you!

College Scholarships for Rugby

With the hundreds of collegiate rugby programs around the country, the number of scholarships available for rugby players is growing! This offers great possibilities for those students looking to play at a higher level. Click here to browse the many college scholarships available for rugby!

PLEASE NOTE

The Digital Platform Department cannot respond to enquiries regarding the above platforms as each are managed by a different USA Rugby department.

If you are having issues with one of the following USA Rugby websites -- USARugby.org, D1ARugby.com, D1ARugby.tv, RookieRugby.com, PlayRugbyToday.com, TryOnRugby.com, USACollege7s.com -- please contact David Jacobson or Aaron Ewerdt.